What do you think?
Rate this book
Jordan's Crossing
When pastor Jordan Rau accepted a position with a European missions agency, his decision was based on money, not on an opportunity to serve God. However, shortly after his family's arrival in Germany, Jordan's priorities dramatically change - his young son, Chase, has been murdered. Abandoning his faith in God, Jordan becomes obsessed with finding Chase's killers and delivering justice. He sets out on a course of action that will destroy not only the murderers, but his own family as well - and only a miracle can stop him.
315 pages, Paperback
First published August 23, 1993
10 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
October 30, 2018
What a great story! This novel shows how a desire for revenge can get the best of us, and that paying others back for their misdeeds isn't the Christian way.
July 22, 2014
Common sense tells me that I should not stay up till 1:00 when I have to wake up early the next morning. And then the book I'm reading looks at my common sense and laughs.
July 30, 2020
This is the only book that I don't own with Jason Faircloth in it.
It follows the story of Jordan Rau, his wife Susan and children Donica and Chase. Jordan hears of a lucrative ministry opportunity in Germany (this was set in 1990-1991). Jordan's ministry isn't really defined for the reader - he's supposed to go to Institute classes to learn the language, but he doesn't seem to have any opportunities for learning outside the Institute. Jordan is having stress in his marriage because Susan didn't want to move to Germany and the children weren't thrilled either. Things began looking up when the family met other Americans, with children close in age to the Rau children.
Sadly, an intersection of Jamaican mobsters in Germany and a teen brought to Germany because of his military step-father results in both the oldest daughter and the Rau son being missing. The reader is privy to inner thoughts and feelings of the family. Jordan is consumed with finding his son. Donica and Susan go to the local town to help, but the police find the bodies and the other family identifies them for the police so that D & Susan are told first. Jordan is found and told that his son is dead. His focus then becomes solely on finding his son's murderers.
With Jordan's focus on finding the killers, Donica becomes more withdrawn as her father emotionally abandons her; Susan tries to keep her marriage from falling apart. Jordan finds a witness to the night when his son went missing, he follows their information to the teen. Subsequently, the teen runs away to America, but gives information on the Jamaican mobsters to Jordan.
Jordan travels to Detroit, deceiving the Institute, the ministry, and his family. There, he wanted to follow a particular doctor, so he went to a conference where a Jamaican doctor and Jason Faircloth were speakers. Susan and Donica were left behind in Germany but quickly got to America when they got a phone call that Jordan was severely injured in a car accident.
While the injuries may have slowed him down, Jordan regained his memory and still purposes to visit Detroit, where the Jamaican mob is gaining control of more territory. He had been corresponding with Jason Faircloth about personal faith, but even after Jason Faircloth came to visit, Jordan continued his travels to Detroit. The ministry also sends the Rau parents to therapy, where the psychiatrist does not support Mrs. Rau's interpretation of events, eventually prescribing particular anti-depressants for both parents.
The reader knows that the Jamaicans are being infiltrated by undercover federal authorities, but Jordan does not. The cognitive dissonance as Jordan comes to terms with the reality of spiritual things (which had not been part of his ministry prior) also results in scaring the Jamaicans that he captured, but he didn't kill them.
Jordan returns to Susan, but Donica has been pushed to the brink, taking her parent's unused medications and overdosing. A miracle (so believes Jordan) when she was declared dead, but her heartbeat returned - the reader is not told whether she sustained any brain damage. This one seems to have a lot more loose ends than the author's other books, with the story of the Jamaicans semi-wrapped up and the story about the teen with a military step-father essentially "left in God's hands".
I liked Jason Faircloth's sermon, regarding what a church should be like - that people keep masks on instead of being honest with others in their church. I wasn't as thrilled with the portrayal of psychiatrists as "pooh-poohing" Susan's interpretation that Jordan hadn't learned to trust God, rather than she was depressed; or that Jordan's conversion and crossing to belief would come at the crisis point of whether or not he would kill the Jamaicans who had killed his son (though it makes a story more thrilling).
It follows the story of Jordan Rau, his wife Susan and children Donica and Chase. Jordan hears of a lucrative ministry opportunity in Germany (this was set in 1990-1991). Jordan's ministry isn't really defined for the reader - he's supposed to go to Institute classes to learn the language, but he doesn't seem to have any opportunities for learning outside the Institute. Jordan is having stress in his marriage because Susan didn't want to move to Germany and the children weren't thrilled either. Things began looking up when the family met other Americans, with children close in age to the Rau children.
Sadly, an intersection of Jamaican mobsters in Germany and a teen brought to Germany because of his military step-father results in both the oldest daughter and the Rau son being missing. The reader is privy to inner thoughts and feelings of the family. Jordan is consumed with finding his son. Donica and Susan go to the local town to help, but the police find the bodies and the other family identifies them for the police so that D & Susan are told first. Jordan is found and told that his son is dead. His focus then becomes solely on finding his son's murderers.
With Jordan's focus on finding the killers, Donica becomes more withdrawn as her father emotionally abandons her; Susan tries to keep her marriage from falling apart. Jordan finds a witness to the night when his son went missing, he follows their information to the teen. Subsequently, the teen runs away to America, but gives information on the Jamaican mobsters to Jordan.
Jordan travels to Detroit, deceiving the Institute, the ministry, and his family. There, he wanted to follow a particular doctor, so he went to a conference where a Jamaican doctor and Jason Faircloth were speakers. Susan and Donica were left behind in Germany but quickly got to America when they got a phone call that Jordan was severely injured in a car accident.
While the injuries may have slowed him down, Jordan regained his memory and still purposes to visit Detroit, where the Jamaican mob is gaining control of more territory. He had been corresponding with Jason Faircloth about personal faith, but even after Jason Faircloth came to visit, Jordan continued his travels to Detroit. The ministry also sends the Rau parents to therapy, where the psychiatrist does not support Mrs. Rau's interpretation of events, eventually prescribing particular anti-depressants for both parents.
The reader knows that the Jamaicans are being infiltrated by undercover federal authorities, but Jordan does not. The cognitive dissonance as Jordan comes to terms with the reality of spiritual things (which had not been part of his ministry prior) also results in scaring the Jamaicans that he captured, but he didn't kill them.
Jordan returns to Susan, but Donica has been pushed to the brink, taking her parent's unused medications and overdosing. A miracle (so believes Jordan) when she was declared dead, but her heartbeat returned - the reader is not told whether she sustained any brain damage. This one seems to have a lot more loose ends than the author's other books, with the story of the Jamaicans semi-wrapped up and the story about the teen with a military step-father essentially "left in God's hands".
I liked Jason Faircloth's sermon, regarding what a church should be like - that people keep masks on instead of being honest with others in their church. I wasn't as thrilled with the portrayal of psychiatrists as "pooh-poohing" Susan's interpretation that Jordan hadn't learned to trust God, rather than she was depressed; or that Jordan's conversion and crossing to belief would come at the crisis point of whether or not he would kill the Jamaicans who had killed his son (though it makes a story more thrilling).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2017
This was a hard book to read. The overwhelming power of Jordan's drive for revenge was ugly to witness. He cared nothing about his wife and daughter, only finding the people responsible for his son's death. Worth it in the end, though.
July 13, 2023
Holds your attention and teaches truth
August 13, 2024
love the complexity of the story and feelings were so well illustrated
September 28, 2024
This book was very touching and shows just how far the Holy Spirit will go to get your attention!
August 26, 2025
A great thriller full of action with a strong Christian message
October 17, 2011
"Jordan's Crossing" is a Christian suspense novel. There is a character in this novel that is the main character in a previous novel, but this novel can be read as a stand-alone. It did spoil the previous novel, though, so you might wish to read them in order.
The suspense was created by the relationship tensions caused by financial worries and the death of a son/brother and from the physical danger Jordan put himself and others in while tracking his son's killers. The characters dealt with realistic problems, but I felt like I was held at a distance. The author told about the character's emotions instead of pulling the reader into them.
The whole story was basically a sermon to the reader about the problems in the modern, western church and the effect of picking and choosing what parts of the Bible to believe has on Christians. While I liked the story and agreed with a lot of what the author pointed out, I wished the story had emotionally engaged me more.
Also, I didn't really like the ending. After bringing home the point repeatedly that Christians need to leave justice to God rather than seeking revenge themselves, the ending solely focused on the justice dealt out in this world. No one mentioned the ultimate justice given by God on Judgment Day.
There was a minor amount of "he cursed" style bad language and one explicit bad word which, apparently, some people don't consider a bad word. There were no sex scenes though a rape was referred to in vague terms. Overall, I don't regret reading the book.
The suspense was created by the relationship tensions caused by financial worries and the death of a son/brother and from the physical danger Jordan put himself and others in while tracking his son's killers. The characters dealt with realistic problems, but I felt like I was held at a distance. The author told about the character's emotions instead of pulling the reader into them.
The whole story was basically a sermon to the reader about the problems in the modern, western church and the effect of picking and choosing what parts of the Bible to believe has on Christians. While I liked the story and agreed with a lot of what the author pointed out, I wished the story had emotionally engaged me more.
Also, I didn't really like the ending. After bringing home the point repeatedly that Christians need to leave justice to God rather than seeking revenge themselves, the ending solely focused on the justice dealt out in this world. No one mentioned the ultimate justice given by God on Judgment Day.
There was a minor amount of "he cursed" style bad language and one explicit bad word which, apparently, some people don't consider a bad word. There were no sex scenes though a rape was referred to in vague terms. Overall, I don't regret reading the book.
June 12, 2009
Jordan's Crossing is a novel about an avowed liberal led astray first by greed, then when his young son is murdered, by thoughts of revenge and dealing out "justice" with his own hands. Hatred and revenge control him, driving him to destroy his own family as surely as his son's killers, and only a divine miracle can stop him. Jordan's Crossing is written with a passion for God and trust in His guidance, and reverberates with conservative Christian hope and morals. A deeply faithful and reverant book. This is the second book in the series by Randall Arthur.
December 21, 2013
The only thing that kept me from giving a 5 star rating is that the ending didn't have quite the emotional punch that I had hoped for. I read Randall Arthur's "Brotherhood of Betrayal" before this and found it to be a more moving book.
I can't put my finger on the reason why this book didn't move me as much. The emotion the parents feel when they find out their son has been killed is palpable, and the lust for vengeance that the dad feels is as well, but somehow the ending just didn't have the same emotional weight.
Overall though, a good story with a great message!
I can't put my finger on the reason why this book didn't move me as much. The emotion the parents feel when they find out their son has been killed is palpable, and the lust for vengeance that the dad feels is as well, but somehow the ending just didn't have the same emotional weight.
Overall though, a good story with a great message!
December 31, 2014
Good book about losing a child, how this family reacts to the situation and how a father wants revenge on the killer. This book shows how his walk with the L-rd carries him through. I would think this book could be healing to many people. Many, many good points about life and the truth about how many people live their lives. The good and the bad. Well, worth reading! Randall Arthur is one of my very favorite authors.
February 23, 2009
I liked this book as it was about forgiving what in human eyes seems unforgiveable, but only with God's help is it even humanly possible. The main character eventually has to choose between forgiveness or revenge. Randall Arthur is a great author who writes about spritual truths through fiction. Jason Faircloth, the main character from the first book, makes an appearance also.
October 9, 2016
I found the book a little unbelievable. Even though Jordan was a pastor, there is nothing in the book about a congregation - other than stating that he left a congregation. I felt that the Mission Board gave him quite a bit of leeway, considering that he seemed to do no mission work at all.
Read
March 25, 2012loved Jordan's Crossing
i just learned that the Wisdom Hunter author is releasing a new novel. i saw it on his website, RandallArthur.com. The reviews look impressive. i see he's also releasing a children's book
i just learned that the Wisdom Hunter author is releasing a new novel. i saw it on his website, RandallArthur.com. The reviews look impressive. i see he's also releasing a children's book
Read
March 25, 2012Jordan's Crossing was amazing!
i just learned that the Wisdom Hunter author is releasing a new novel. i saw it on his website, RandallArthur.com. The reviews look impressive. i see he's also releasing a children's book
i just learned that the Wisdom Hunter author is releasing a new novel. i saw it on his website, RandallArthur.com. The reviews look impressive. i see he's also releasing a children's book
March 25, 2012
This book was great! Really opened my eyes to a new world! I just learned that the Wisdom Hunter author is releasing a new novel. I saw it on his website, RandallArthur.com. The reviews look impressive. I see he's also releasing a children's book.
August 26, 2012
This companion to Wisdom Hunter approaches the Christian life from the libeal side and shows the fallacy of going too far astray from literal interpretaion of scripture. Again however it does so in the context of a powerful drama with plenty of action. A great read!
February 25, 2014
A fast reading, suspenseful story about a man driven by revenge who eventually is redeemed by God and forgives the murder of his son. People who enjoy suspense with a spiritual message will like this book. 3.5 stars
November 2, 2016
I found myself holding my breath while reading because the suspense was so intense. Hatred and revenge are powerful emotions which are not easily deterred. This book explores these emotions and its effects on those people around the main character.
December 29, 2007
theme carries on from preious two books. Legalism can hurt.
Read
January 24, 2009Not bad. Adventure story depicting how rage and sorrow can eat your heart and divert you from the love and healing that God provides.
Read
April 17, 2009Jordan's Crossing by Randall Arthur (?)
November 24, 2010
he is such a great writer a very enjoyable read.
March 12, 2012
Religious fiction. Together with "Wisdom Hunter" Randall Authur provides an entertaining and thought-provoking story.
March 25, 2012
Amazing! I just learned that the Wisdom Hunter author is releasing a new novel. I saw it on his website, RandallArthur.com. The reviews look impressive. I see he's also releasing a children's book.
May 9, 2012
Well written and in tune with hurting people, Arthur's main character knows how to reach out to a lost and hurting people. Again recommend this book.
October 21, 2013
Weak ending....nuff said
October 30, 2013
Have you heard about Randall Arthur's newest book, Forgotten Road? You can watch the trailer for Forgotten Road here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V0JX_...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4V0JX_...
Read
March 27, 2014Good and interesrung!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews